Construction starts on new music venue in Pittsburgh's Lower Hill
Construction is underway for a new music venue in Pittsburgh's Lower Hill after officials broke ground on Thursday.
The venue will be called Citizens Live at The Wylie. The Hill District was once called the "Harlem of Pittsburgh," with the Crawford Grill on Wylie Avenue a hub for jazz music.
The new 98,500-square-foot live music venue will have a 4,000-seat capacity, providing a space for breakout artists and bigger musicians who are looking for a more intimate setup. It's expected to bring 350 jobs with a base pay of $20 an hour.
The music venue is part of work to redevelop the former Civic Arena site, which is now also home to a $300 million, 26-story skyscraper that contains First National Bank's headquarters.
"When we look at the historic Hill, it's not possible to undo the harms of the past, but it is possible to learn from them and move forward," said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato.
Beyond the music, the project promises community reinvestment, supporting the neighborhood's goal of preserving history.
"A $2 ticket surcharge, so this is very important to recognize, because the Hill CDC asked for $2 a car for parking and $2 a ticket for surcharge, right? And Live Nation made good on that request," said Marimba Milliones, the CEO of the Hill Community Development Corporation.
Live Nation, Citizens and the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated the project on Thursday. The venue is expected to open in the second half of 2026.
